Physical things are important (6)

I believe the answer is:

matter

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'physical things' is the definition.
'matter' can be an answer for 'things' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'physical' bit.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for matter that I've seen before include "Subject; be important" , "No . . . . . . - it is unimportant" , "Physical substance" , "Stuff - mean something" , "Issue - stuff" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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